WELCOME LETTER
Thank you for expressing an
interest in our newly created
post of Principal Gifts Lead at
Cancer Research UK.
The opportunity to join the CRUK team now is
tremendous as we begin to plan for our next
and hugely ambitious campaign. Having just
completed a ÂŁ100 million capital campaign for
the Francis Crick Institute, a research superlab in the heart of London, we are confident in
our ability to continue to attract principal gifts
from international philanthropists for some
of the most cutting edge research projects,
partnerships, drug discovery, and scientists
award programmes to promote and accelerate
our understanding of cancer to allow for better
treatment of patients.

The Principal Gifts Lead will be a member of
the Philanthropy & Campaign leadership team,
providing leadership of our developing principal
gifts programme. The person in this role will
work closely with our executive board, CEO,
and scientific leadership to develop and lead
on principal gift prospect and donor strategies.
The Principal Gifts Lead will also play an
important role in the relationship building and
recruitment of our new campaign board and in
our campaign planning stage.
Across CRUK leadership there is a newly found
energy and support for our opportunity with
principal gifts. Based on our success in this area
with the capital campaign for the Francis Crick
Institute, we are better positioned now more
than ever to take this forward into our next
campaign with a role that focuses solely on this
activity.
We are looking for an ambitious, experienced
fundraiser who will rise to the challenge of
developing a systematic and world class
approach to principal gifts at CRUK. If you
have a strong track record in fundraising, are a
collaborative individual with creative and long
term thinking, and have a passion to advance
cancer research to better the lives of patients,
this role is for you.
I hope that you will be inspired by this
exceptional opportunity and look forward to
hearing from you.
Rebecca Parkes
Director of Philanthropy & Campaigns

Cancer Research UK is a
life-saving organisation. It is
the world’s leading charity
dedicated to beating cancer
and has saved millions of
lives by discovering new
ways to prevent, diagnose
and treat cancer.

Cancer Research UK funds groundbreaking
research into more than 200 types of
cancer. Last year CRUK spent £376 million
on research, funding 4,000 researchers plus
infrastructure and partnerships across the full
breadth of basic, translational, clinical and
population research.
This pioneering work delivers the
breakthroughs which prevent, control and
treat cancer. CRUK’s employees, along
with volunteers and supporters, scientists,
doctors and nurses, are leading the world in
discovering and developing newer, kinder
treatments, and getting closer to the day when
all cancers are cured.

CANCER RESEARCH UK (CRUK)
Cancer survival is improving and has doubled
over the past 40 years in the UK. Now half of
people diagnosed with cancer survive their
disease for ten years or more. At the forefront
of cutting edge technology, the work that
Cancer Research UK does has helped the
development of initiatives such as precision
and personalized medicine, as well as the
development of well-known drugs including
the following:
• Tamoxifen – CRUK contributed significantly
to the introduction of tamoxifen into the
clinic, helping to demonstrate the most
effective way to use the treatment and
ensuring that it became a mainstay for
women with ER positive breast cancer.
Breast cancer treatment has improved
dramatically, and today almost two thirds
of women diagnosed with breast cancer
this decade are predicted to survive their
disease for 20 years or more.
• Abiraterone – CRUK supported the early
development of this new treatment for
advanced prostate cancer, including
formulating the drug, and supporting its
first ever trials. Now, the drug is available
in the clinic, improving quality of life, and
giving men more time with their families.
• Temozolomide – CRUK scientists
discovered, synthesised and developed
temozolomide. It is now used worldwide
to treat the most common adult
brain tumour, called glioblastoma.
In combination with radiotherapy,
temozolomide has become the front-line
treatment for thousands of people with this
type of cancer.

The pioneering research that leads to these
results is delivered through close collaborative
working across CRUK’s network of Institutes
and Centres and with the UK’s world-leading
universities. For example the Cancer Research
UK Cambridge Institute, directed by Professor
Simon Tavare, is one of the largest cancer
research facilities in Europe. The Institute
is based in the heart of the Addenbrooke’s
Hospital biomedical campus with close links
to research partners within the Cambridge
Cancer Centre, including the University of
Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals,
the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the MRC
Laboratory of Molecular Biology and the
Gurdon Institute.
CRUK also has major centres in Oxford and
Manchester, and funds researchers at other
leading universities throughout the UK such
as Birmingham University, Glasgow University,
UCL and King’s College London.

CANCER RESEARCH UK (CRUK)
It’s not just CRUK’s past discoveries that are
helping cancer patients – right now, their
clinical trials are helping people around the
world get pioneering new treatments.
The Add Aspirin trial, running in the UK and
India, is looking at whether aspirin can prevent
cancer from coming back, and CRUK are
now launching a trial of a new screening
test for early signs of oesophageal cancer –
Cytosponge – in the UK and China.
The charity believes in its vision: to bring
forward the day when all cancers are cured.
It’s big and audacious, but it has a plan of
attack; to day by day, break down cancer. This
is what motivates and unites its people and
underpins CRUK’s brand beliefs:

Be Sharp
Be Brave
Be United
Cancer Research UK recently asked its people
to describe their working culture in one word.
The word cloud below shows the results:
Cancer Research UK’s understanding of cancer
is increasing at a faster pace than ever before.
More and more people are surviving thanks to
the work it does. Every step it takes towards
beating cancer relies on every pound, every
hour and every person, and its 4,000 people
work relentlessly every day towards this goal.
Every day it makes extraordinary progress
by being bold, ambitious, innovative and
imaginative in its quest to beat cancer sooner.
Please visit CRUK.org for more information
about the charity, its purpose and stories, and
its pioneering, life-saving research.

Philanthropic income is
critical to Cancer Research
UK’s entire being. Its work
is almost entirely funded by
the public. It raises money
through donations, legacies,
community fundraising,
events, retail and corporate
partnerships. Over 40,000
people are regular
volunteers.

The Philanthropy & Campaign department is
responsible for securing gifts ranging from
£10,000 to multi-millions of pounds from
individual supporters and charitable trusts.
Having recently brought together major
giving, corporate partnerships, mid-value
fundraising, special events and high value
supporter partnerships into one ‘Philanthropy
& Partnerships’ directorate, this is an exciting
time for Cancer Research UK. It aims to build
on the success of the £100m ‘Create the
Change’ campaign. These campaigns have
increased the ambition to secure significant
donations from across the UK and the world,
from major philanthropists and partners who
want to help beat cancer sooner.
Nearly all of its income is generated from
face-to-face fundraising asks. Its team of
fundraisers builds individual relationships
with prospects by regularly communicating
and meeting with them to understand their
motivations and passions.

By engaging high net worth individuals, it
enables Cancer Research UK to fund specific
projects such as the brand new Francis Crick
Institute, a super-lab at the heart of London,
which is set to become the leading biomedical
research institute in Europe and will ensure the
best possible chance to beat cancer sooner.
Other campaigns such as the ‘Catalyst Club’
have successfully attracted major donors
and have funded research into personalised
medicine projects, and the ‘More Tomorrows’
campaign helped to establish the world-class
Manchester Cancer Research Centre.
Its latest comprehensive campaign, ‘Right
Now’, shows the day-to-day reality of cancer
and brings together the real stories of patients
and their loved ones, researchers and medical
staff, including moments of diagnosis,
treatment and test results.

CRUK is now embarking on a significant
period of growth in order to achieve its aims
of three in four people surviving cancer in the
next 20 years. To do this they plan to launch
a significant philanthropic campaign on the
scale of major university campaigns that will
enable a refreshed approach to principal gift
fundraising.
In order to achieve these ambitions, the
Philanthropy & Campaign team will need to
grow and continue to develop. The exciting
new appointment of Rebecca Parkes as
Director of Philanthropy & Campaign is the
first step and she promises to lead the team
through this growth by encouraging high
levels of performance through dynamic, fastpaced and collaborative working.

THE POST
This is a unique opportunity to establish
and build a pioneering and game-changing
Principal Gifts programme at one of the
largest and most successful charities in
Europe.
The Principal Gifts Lead will have overall
responsibility for setting and delivering Cancer
Research UK‘s principal gifts strategy. S/he
will be responsible for cultivating and raising
principal gifts for Cancer Research UK from
a personal pipeline of prospects as well as
driving the broader programme that will be
managed across senior individuals in the team.
S/he will also be expected to steward existing
major and principal donors through face-toface meetings and regular communication.
This is a senior position within the
Philanthropy & Campaign team and reports to
the Head of Development, Major and Principal
Gifts.
You will have the opportunity to shape and
grow a prospect pool of around 60 to 100
donors, leading to donations of seven to
nine figures. Working with senior leadership,
leading academics and researchers, you will
be securing transformational gifts that will
benefit generations to come.

You will be building on the recent success
of securing multi-million gifts and emerging
prospects, and will be well supported by
the existing principal gifts infrastructure and
backing from senior leadership.
This is a truly exciting role. Cancer Research
UK cannot achieve its ambitious strategic
research priorities without the acceleration
of its major and principal gift fundraising. You
will need to engage and win people over,
convey complex ideas succinctly and have the
ability to work in a complex environment with
multi-dimensional points of view. You will also
need a comprehensive appreciation of major
gift portfolio management and principal gift
development.
You will be excited by Cancer Research
UK’s potential, share its beliefs, and bring
professional fundraising experience to help
enable significant philanthropic income
growth.
This is a career-defining opportunity for
a passionate, ‘front line’ fundraiser with
ambition, confidence and talent. You will have
the opportunity to make a significant personal
impact into the advancement of Cancer
Research UK and its mission to save lives.

JOB DESCRIPTION
ROLE TITLE Principal Gifts Lead (Philanthropy & Campaign)
REPORTING TO

Director of Philanthropy & Campaign

DIRECTORATE AND TEAM

Philanthropy & Campaign Department

LOCATION

Central London or home-based with regular travel to London

ROLE PURPOSE

Responsible for developing and implementing fundraising
strategies and activities to deliver principal gifts worth
£1,000,000 plus for Cancer Research UK.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversight of all £1 million plus prospects
across the CRUK prospect and donor
portfolio and work with Philanthropy &
Campaigns to develop a principal gifts
programme that aligns these prospects and
donors with our strategic and campaign
priorities.
2. Manage a portfolio of up to 100 prospects
with a primary focus on qualifying
prospects and closing gifts of £1,000,000
plus.
3. Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward
principal gift prospects to align benefactor
interests with the strategic objectives of
CRUK.
4. Partner with the Director, senior leadership
team and key volunteers and board
members to develop and implement
strategies for all gifts of £5,000,000 and
above.
5. Own, develop and maintain strong
relationships with internal and external
stakeholders; including leading academics
and researchers, bringing the right people
together to secure transformational gifts.
6. As a member of the leadership team,
contribute to cross Philanthropy &
Campaigns and wider Philanthropy and
Partnerships Directorate initiatives.

• A proven track record of success in
expanding a donor base through
cultivation and excellent stewardship.
• A track record in establishing, monitoring
and achieving highly ambitious fundraising
targets.
• Experience of undertaking a high volume
of face-to-face meetings with major
donors.
BEHAVIOURS
• Confident and outgoing, with the
presence, gravitas and intellect to operate
effectively at a senior level.
• Flexible, adaptable, and will enjoy working
in a fast-paced growth environment.
• Target –driven, tenacious and the ability to
convey complex ideas succinctly.
• Comfortable with ambiguity.
• Have the highest ethical standards and a
deep respect for philanthropy.

• The ability to negotiate throughout a
large, complex environment with multidimensional points of view.
• The ability to build excellent relationships,
working effectively with colleagues to
achieve the overall income goals of the
CRUK.
• The ability to manage multiple projects
and maintaining a high degree of
professionalism and confidentiality is
essential.
• The ability to articulate and communicate
the mission, goals, and activities at CRUK
with passion and enthusiasm.
• Superb interpersonal skills, and
adept at making direct contact with
individual donors to discuss interest and
commitment.
• The ability to inspire trust and confidence,
and communicate effectively with internal
and external audiences.
• Excellent organisational, writing, and public
presentation skills
• Proficient in the use of information
technology and management of database
systems.

The successful candidate could be home-based in the vicinity
of Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, Glasgow, Cambridge or
London, with regular travel to CRUK’s central London office.

TRAVEL

Regular national and international travel will be required (30%).

POTENTIAL FOR PART TIME

CORE WORKING HOURS
PAY

PENSION

ANNUAL LEAVE

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

Four days per week would be considered for an outstanding
candidate.
The core hours are 10.00 – 16.00.
The pay system is designed to attract and retain the most
talented and dedicated employees. CRUK aims to be
competitive in the market whilst ensuring it is affordable
to the charity, keeping its research and supporters in mind.
Pay is reviewed annually which aims to recognise individual
performance and achievements.
CRUK’s Retirement Plan offers all employees a flexible way
to build a pension fund no matter which stage of career you
are at. The retirement plan offers you choice control, financial
benefits and valuable protection benefits. It is a defined
contribution plan, which means contributions paid into the
plan by you and by Cancer Research UK are invested in the
funds you choose - you can have as little or as much control
over this as you want.
Annual leave entitlement of 25 days a year plus statutory
holidays.
CRUK offers wide ranged careers and personal development
opportunities from a series of talent programmes to accelerate
the progression of those with leadership potential and skills
building programmes targeting all levels. Access to coaching,
mentoring, secondments and experimental learning ensure that
all staff are given the opportunity to develop and grow.

CRUK offers discounted access to Benenden Health as well
as occupational health and mental wellbeing support, online
health assessment tools and discounted onsite osteopath
and massage services. The confidential employee assistance
programme is available to all to provide support for any
concerns in your work or personal life. In addition, there is a
range of sports and societies on offer to support employees
toward a healthy work/life balance.

SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES
THROUGH CANCER

CRUK work with an organisation called ‘Working with Cancer’,
to provide support to those returning to work following a
cancer diagnosis. Working with Cancer offers counselling
services and advice to employees with cancer about returning
to work, or remaining in work, at any stage during or after
cancer treatment. The service also provides support to
managers to help them understand the best way in which they
can help their team members.

CONFERENCES

You will get the chance to attend conferences relevant to your
area of work.

LOCAL BENEFITS

AND MUCH MORE

CRUK staff enjoy great benefits in and around Islington with
deals at over 25 shops, bars and restaurants nearby.
Discounts and Savings, Childcare Vouchers, Cycle2Work,
Season Ticket Loans, Advice Services, Life Assurance and
more….

HOW TO APPLY
Please apply by submitting a copy of your
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Covering Letter
highlighting your suitability for the position, by
email to: claire.reynolds@execucare.com
For an informal conversation prior to applying
to this role, please call either Joanna Logan
on 07885658764 or Nicola Reames on
07787428832.